Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Welcome Guest. Please Login or Register.

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:45am

When theatres do reopen Im curious what theatre actors will not return to broadway either because of success in film/tv, retire or other ventures:

Lea Michele (but I honestly think that shes made her career out of broadway and has no interest in returning)
Robbie Fairchild (I think with his floral business he wont be returning)
Julie Andrews
Barbra Streisand (like Julie. I think age and interests will keep them away)
Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen
Cheyenne Jackson (I think he is going to permanently be out West with the film and tv world from now on)
Chita Rivera
Joel Gray
I know Angela Lansbury has already announced retirement from theatre.
I wonder if Bernadette Peters will take on another musical.
I can see Patti Lupone not doing anymore after Company
John Gallagher Jr. (but he seems to have disappeared from theatre )
Matt Rosell ( I think hell find another career)

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:52am

Actors leave the business for a few years and come back all the time. Some older actors like Chita are probably fully retired, but most of the younger ones on your list will likely do a play again at some point.

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 4:42am

Television and film may seem to rule the entertainment world today, but live theater will not be silenced (the show, after all, must go on). It’s well known that many film and television actors got their starts on the stage, but it’s fairly rare that celebrities return to their live-acting roots once they get behind the camera. For the most part, live and filmed performances exist in two different worlds.

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 4:52am

Theatrefanboy1 - Before posting, please do some research.

Joel is 88. Chita is 88. Maggie is 86. Julie is 85. Ian is 81. Helen is 75.

Do you really think they will return to the theatre is a 8 performances a week show?

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 8:15am

A Director said: "Theatrefanboy1 - Before posting, please do some research.

Joel is 88. Chita is 88. Maggie is 86. Julie is 85. Ian is 81. Helen is 75.

Do you really think they will return to the theatre is a 8 performances aweek show?

"

Thank you for your comment. Then I’m sure as you are aware Angela Lansbury was performing eight shows a week in her 90s, Elaine stritch was 89 and performing 8 a week. Cicely Tyson 89. And James earl jones 82.

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 9:45am

Well said, Theatrefanboy. In addition to the examples you named, tons of actors have done 8 shows a week well into their 80s, and even into their early 90s. These days, it’s actually not uncommon at all. It doesn’t mean that every Octogenarian will be up for it, but it does mean that you can’t immediately count people out because of their age. If they say explicitly they’re retired from the stage, that’s one thing, but otherwise, it’s anybody’s guess.

A Director, it’s probably best to do some research before accusing others of not doing their research.

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 10:12am

John Gallagher, Jr. was scheduled to lead the Avett Brothers musical with Stark Sands at Berkeley Rep last summer, but it was postponed to the summer of 2021. While it's almost certain it will be postponed again, I would be surprised if Gallagher, Jr. didn't stick with the project, as he's seemed pretty committed to it in the past.

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:25pm

Lea was just looking to be out in Hollywood, and she is no longer a real draw so Broadway wouldn't really serve her. Sara Ramirez who took her Tony and ran to Seattle Grace/Grey Sloan to never be seen again in theater. And Robbie Fairchild is a brilliant artist, we will surely see him again. His flower business is cute but doesn't have a huge following and he charges like $150+ for a vase of flowers. With the already congested flower market in NYC, you can't really be in business for too long with those prices.

Love seeing John Gallagher Jr where I can, I sincerely hope he comes back!

Updated On: 2/11/21 at 12:25 PM

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:36pm

@OP

Except for the actors who have explicitly retired from live performance, I tend to think that most stage actors will eventually return to the stage. Especially those who are are under 80.

For example: Patti LuPone is such a creature of the stage, and I have a hard time imagining her giving it up after Company. She has been appearing onstage pretty consistently over the past decade, and I don't see her calling it quits so soon. Especially because she seems perfectly happy to do non-musicals, which are less likely to be strenuous. Bernadette hasn't performed quite as frequently over the past decade, but she was up for the challenge of Dolly only a few years ago. So unless she takes a sudden turn for the worse, there's no reason to count her out.

As for your other examples of people in their 30s-50s, I really think it's short-sighted to assume that just because someone is focusing on film/tv right now, we won't ever see them onstage again. Life is long, and there's plenty of time for these actors to come and do something else onstage. I've been seeing theatre regularly for about 12 years now, and in that time, there have been tons of celebrities who were returned to the stage after long absences, of sometimes well over a decade. It's not uncommon, even among actors who aren't known for stage work, let alone people who got their start onstage, and have shown a love for stage work.

#10

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 12:37pm

Theatrefanboy1 said: "A Director said: "Theatrefanboy1 - Before posting, please do some research.

Joel is 88. Chita is 88. Maggie is 86. Julie is 85. Ian is 81. Helen is 75.

Do you really think they will return to the theatre is a 8 performances aweek show?

"

Thank you for your comment. Then I’m sure as you are aware Angela Lansbury was performing eight shows a week in her 90s, Elainestritch was 89 and performing 8 a week. Cicely Tyson 89. AndJames earl jones 82."

Not to mention Elaine May, age 87, winning a Tony in 2019. That was her age when she performed in The Waverly Gallery.

Be Kind

Updated On: 2/12/21 at 12:37 PM

#11

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 4:06pm

MCW1227 said: "Theatrefanboy1 said: "A Director said: "Theatrefanboy1 - Before posting, please do some research.

Joel is 88. Chita is 88. Maggie is 86. Julie is 85. Ian is 81. Helen is 75.

Do you really think they will return to the theatre is a 8 performances aweek show?

"

Thank you for your comment. Then I’m sure as you are aware Angela Lansbury was performing eight shows a week in her 90s, Elainestritch was 89 and performing 8 a week. Cicely Tyson 89. AndJames earl jones 82."

Not to mention Elaine May, age 87,winning a Tony in 2019.I know she passed away but that was her age when she performed in The Waverly Gallery."

She's Alive!

#12

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/10/21 at 5:45pm

JBroadway said: "@OP

Except for the actors who have explicitly retired from live performance, I tend to think that most stage actors will eventually return to the stage. Especially those who are are under 80.

For example: Patti LuPone is such a creature of the stage, and I have a hard time imagining her giving it up after Company. She has been appearing onstage pretty consistently over the past decade, and I don't see her calling it quits so soon. Especially because she seems perfectly happy to do non-musicals, which are less likely to be strenuous. Bernadette hasn't performed quite as frequently over the past decade, but she was up for the challenge of Dolly only a few years ago.So unless she takes a sudden turn for the worse, there's no reason to count her out.

As for your other examples of people in their 30s-50s, I really think it's short-sighted to assume that just because someone is focusing on film/tv right now, we won't ever see them onstage again. Life is long, and there's plenty of time for these actors to come and do something else onstage. I've been seeing theatre regularly for about 12years now, and in that time, there have been tons ofcelebritieswho were returned to the stage after long absences, of sometimes well over a decade. It's not uncommon, evenamong actors who aren't known for stage work, let alone people who got their start onstage, and have shown a love for stage work."

Agree with all of this. Good comment. Also,many theater performers are doing more work on-screen at the moment since Broadway is shut down and I'm sure they like to eat and have a roof over their heads. Performers go where the work is,if they can get it,even when there's not a pandemic.

#13

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 3:35am

Bitch you nearly gave me a heart attack, I thought you said Amber Grey XD

#14

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 3:35am

Bitch you nearly gave me a heart attack, I thought you said Amber Grey XD

#15

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 4:15am

RedAsARose said: "Bitch you nearly gave me a heart attack, I thought you said Amber Grey XD"

Your snarky comment is pretty much uncalled for.

#16

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:16am

John Gallagher Jr is the adult male lead (plays the Father) in last year's spooky movie Come Play. You can get it at the Redbox or I assume Netflix. Fairly good. The young actor playing the lead, an autistic child, is very good.

#17

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:20am

MCW1227 said: "Not to mention Elaine May, age 87,winning a Tony in 2019.I know she passed away but that was her age when she performed in The Waverly Gallery."

Ummm... she's still alive. Lol.

#18

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:33am

You bring me pain

#19

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:35am

Ian McKellen is scheduled to star in Hamlet/Cherry Garden in repertory as soon as the pandemic is over, Helen Mirren was supposed to start in Oedipus with Mark Strong last autumn, and the production has been delayed for obvious reasons. So, unless A Director knows better than them, they will return to the stage as soon as possible.

#20

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 9:48am

Also, you need to rephrase your title to Broadway. Countless Los Angeles actors who got their starts on Broadway continue doing theater regularly on the west coast. It may not be New York theater but they do live theater regularly - both musicals and plays. Many can’t commit to uprooting their lives for several months to do a project on Broadway (family, schedules, etc).

#21

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/11/21 at 10:26am

BrodyFosse123 said: "Also, you need to rephrase your title to Broadway. Countless Los Angeles actors who got their starts on Broadway continue doing theater regularly on the west coast. It may not be New York theater but they do live theater regularly - both musicals and plays. Many can’t commit to uprooting their lives for several months to do a project on Broadway (family, schedules, etc)."

^To your point, it's also much easier for UK actors (several of whom have been discussed in this thread) to perform in London than in NYC. Also, if out-of-town celebrities were to come to NYC, I imagine it might be easier to do runs Off-Broadway, since they'd only have to be here for 1 or 2 months. Especially if it's just a quick run at BAM or something like that.

#22

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/12/21 at 6:06am

bjh2114 said: "MCW1227 said: "Not to mention Elaine May, age 87,winning a Tony in 2019.I know she passed away but that was her age when she performed in The Waverly Gallery."

Ummm... she's still alive. Lol."

Very sorry about that, I thought I had read that she had passed away.

Be Kind

#23

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/12/21 at 8:44am

...did anyone seriously think Barbra Streisand would ever do theater again? Her last Broadway show was Funny Girl in 1965.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

Updated On: 2/12/21 at 08:44 AM

#24

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/12/21 at 10:57am

Well some theatre actors have been away from theatre for 25-30 years. And then come back to it like Glenda Jackson or Glenn Close. Bette Midler. Actually Bette had been quoted saying she rather likes the idea of spending her later years in smaller venues.

#25

Theatre actors who won’t return to the theatre

Posted: 2/12/21 at 3:00pm

Kad said: "...didanyone seriously think Barbra Streisand would ever do theater again? Her last Broadway show was Funny Girl in 1965."

There was a lot of talk, pre-pandemic, that she would reopen the newly renovated Palace Theater with a short 6 to 8 week concert residency. Not sure if this is still on the table, but can’t see it being out of the realm of possibility.

← Back to Message Board

View all Videos

Tickets From $59

Tickets From $71

Tickets From $95